July 18, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Primera unstoppable in slugfest; Azocar delivers walkoff for Drive
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The WooSox faced a strong test, as Yankee left-hander Max Fried began his rehab assignment on Friday evening. Worcester reached Fried for a pair of runs over three innings, including a Nate Eaton solo homer in the third, but were done in by a four-run rally in the second. Starter Raymond Burgos took the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits across four innings. Hobie Harris was activated from the injured list earlier in the day and made his first 2026 appearance for the WooSox, surrendering two runs in his inning of work. Angel Bastardo was perfect for two innings, striking out four of the six batters he faced, followed by another one-two-three inning by a returning Tommy Kahnle in the eighth.
The Worcester bats pounded out 13 hits. Two came off the bat of Brett Harris, including a solo homer. Mikey Romero blasted his ninth round-tripper of the season, while Allan Castro doubled as part of his 3-for-4 effort.
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Portland fell into an early hole and managed only four hits in Friday's loss. Brooks Brannon had a sixth-inning solo homer, his 15th of the season, and added a walk. Ronald Rosario and Jack Winnay doubled for the Sea Dogs. Dalton Rogers took the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits in three innings. Jeremy Wu-Yelland pitched a scoreless inning of relief, allowing one hit, striking out one, and walking one. Hayden Mullins was excellent out of the bullpen, giving up just one hit in 3 1/3 scoreless innings, walking two and striking out one. Cooper Adams did not allow a hit for the final 1 2/3.
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A wild back-and-forth contest finished with a thrilling Greenille victory, as Enddy Azocar flared a game-winning walk-off double down the left field line to score Yophery Rodriguez. Mason White led the way at the plate, blasting a two-run homer in the third inning, drawing a pair of walks, and scoring three runs. Per Andrew Parker, White was promoted to Double-A Portland following the win. Antonio Anderson blasted a game-tying three-run homer in the second as part of his two-hit evening. Ronny Hernandez also had a pair of hits for the Drive.
Devin Futrell got the start, giving up four runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 while striking out eight batters against just one walk. Joe Vogatsky surrendered a pair of scores in his 2 1/3 innings of relief, fanning four without walking a batter. Steven Brooks gave up a run in 1 1/3 and was the beneficiary of the ninth-inning rally, going home the winning pitcher.
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A monster effort by Franklin Primera was not enough for Salem in Friday's slugfest. Primera reached base in all five of his plate appearances, going 4 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, and four runs scored. It was the second time this season that Primera had scored four times, matching his total from June 11 while with the FCL Sox. Avinson Pinto also doubled twice, finishing 3 for 4 with a walk and three RBI. Anderson Fermin tripled, singled, walked twice, and drove in three runs, while Louis Andujar blasted a three-run homer. Starter Brady Tygart went four innings, giving up two runs (one earned), striking out four, and walking two. Delmarva reached the Salem bullpen for 12 runs in five innings, including an eight-run fifth-inning rally. Jay Allmer suffered the loss.
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The Sox worked 11 walks but managed just one hit, a Jorge Rodriguez second-inning single. Nazzan Zanetello drew a pair of free passes as he continues his rehab assignment. Jhoan Peguero and Liosward Marin also walked two times apiece. It was a rare shaky outing for Sadbiel Delzine, who allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits in 2 2/3 innings. The 18-year-old righty struck out three while walking a season-high four. He took the losing decision, his first as a professional.
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Leadoff hitter Anderber Urbina was the catalyst for Team Red, going 3 for 4 with a double, triple, and two runs scored. Geomaikel Martinez, Lester Suarez, and Axell Herrera added a double apiece. Five pitchers combined to limit Mendoza to just four hits. Anthony Herrera was outstanding out of the bullpen, giving up just one hit across four scoreless frames, striking out two while walking three.
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Team Blue scored in every inning except the second, spreading out their 15-hit effort. Miguel Welch was 3 for 6 with a triple, three stolen bases, and three runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Garielvin Silverio doubled, scored three runs, and drove in a pair as part of his 2-for-5 afternoon. Catcher Santiago Yanes also scored three runs while picking up a pair of hits. Jesus Lopez went two scoreless innings in his start and has not allowed an earned run in five of his seven appearances. Michael Manjarres went 1 1/3 scoreless in relief to get credit for the win, with Jainer Almanza firing a scoreless ninth for the save.
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Player of the Day: Franklin Primera had scuffled a bit in making the jump from the FCL to the Carolina League. After posting a dominant .427/.549/.718 line in 32 games to force the promotion, the 19-year-old catcher started his Salem career with an 0-for-13 slump and was just 6 for 37 with one extra-base hit in his first 10 games at the level. The break for All-Star festivities may have been some needed rest for Primera, as he returned with a four-hit, four-run effort that raised his slash line with the RidgeYaks from .162/.311/.189 to .244/.380/.317. Signed to just a $10,000 bonus out of Venezuela in 2024, Primera is now ranked seventh in the system.
Photo Credit: Franklin Primera by Kelly O'Connor